Senior Environmental Professional Engineer - Commercial Real Estate Due Diligence
Company Name: SafeGuard AEC
Location: New York, NY
Project Focus: Commercial Real Estate, Multifamily, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
Work Setting: Remote | Full-Time | Permanent
Base Salary: $180,000–$240,000 Annually
Total Compensation Package: Competitive salary, comprehensive employee benefits
Recruited Exclusively By: Luxus Group
About the Role
Safeguard AEC is seeking an accomplished Senior Due Diligence Engineer to serve as the senior technical lead for its new Commercial Real Estate Due Diligence Practice. The successful candidate will act as the lead reviewer and signer for Property Condition Assessments and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments while mentoring a team of field assessors. This role involves serving as a key technical resource for lender clients and contributing to the development of proprietary reporting and automation tools.
Key Responsibilities
- Review, approve, and sign PCAs in accordance with ASTM E2018-24 and lender requirements.
- Review PCA findings, repair recommendations, cost estimates, and capital reserve analyses.
- Develop and adapt PCA templates for Freddie/Fannie and ASTM requirements.
- Provide technical oversight of building systems, physical deficiencies, deferred maintenance, and capital improvements.
- Maintain high standards for technical accuracy, report quality, and turnaround times.
- Serve as the designated Environmental Professional responsible for reviewing and signing Phase I ESAs in accordance with ASTM E1527-21 and EPA All Appropriate Inquiries.
- Oversee site reconnaissance, historical research, and regulatory database reviews.
- Develop and adapt ESA templates for Freddie/Fannie and ASTM requirements.
- Identify and evaluate RECs, CRECs, and HRECs including historical industrial uses, underground storage tanks, and hazardous substances.
- Prepare findings and recommendations for lenders and investors, including Phase II recommendations.
- Lead due diligence assignments for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily and commercial transactions.
- Serve as the primary technical contact for lenders and underwriting teams regarding findings and revisions.
- Lead, mentor, and oversee a team of field assessors.
- Guide the development of quality assurance procedures, report templates, and project workflows.
- Conduct on-site property assessments as needed.
- Develop and maintain relationships with commercial real estate lenders.
- Support practice growth through industry relationships and client development.
Required Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in commercial real estate due diligence, with substantial PCA and Phase I ESA experience.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Must meet the definition of an Environmental Professional under 40 CFR § 312.10.
- Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, and signing PCAs and Phase I ESAs for Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac transactions.
- Experience leading a team of field assessors or due diligence professionals.
Preferred Qualifications
- Established relationships with Fannie Mae DUS and Freddie Mac Optigo lenders.
- Business development or sales experience within commercial real estate due diligence.
- Previous experience with a national commercial real estate due diligence consulting firm.
- Knowledge of HUD, SBA, or CMBS due diligence requirements.
Compensation & Benefits
- Comprehensive employee benefits package
About SafeGuard AEC
Safeguard AEC is launching a dedicated commercial real estate due diligence practice delivering property condition and environmental assessment services to lenders, investors, and property owners nationwide. Leading with deep field expertise and rigorous quality control, Safeguard AEC is building a cutting edge and AI-forward due diligence practice, investing early in the modern software and AI tools it believes will define how site due diligence work is done in the years ahead.
About Luxus Group
Luxus Group is an exclusive AEC recruiting firm managing this search on behalf of SafeGuard AEC. We partner with the most prestigious structural, civil, and architectural firms in the country to connect top-tier talent with legacy-building opportunities. Not the perfect fit for this role? We still want to hear from you. Our network is constantly expanding with exclusive, unlisted positions across the AEC sector. Connect with us today to discuss your career trajectory.
